LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Algeria Women national team claimed the bronze medal at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after edging Morocco in a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in Rabat on Saturday, August 15.
The North African derby lived up to expectations, with both sides battling fiercely for continental pride. Morocco struck first in the 37th minute through midfielder Kautar Azraf, who finished clinically to give the Atlas Lionesses a deserved lead. Algeria responded late, with midfielder Lina Boussaha equalizing in the 83rd minute to force extra time.
Neither side could find a breakthrough in the added period, setting the stage for a dramatic shootout. Algeria’s Marine Dafeur converted the opening kick, while Morocco’s Zineb Redouani missed to hand Algeria the early advantage.
The tension escalated as Amira Braham missed and Morocco’s Rania Boutiebi scored to level matters.
The Desert Foxes regained composure with Sofia Bekhaled converting, but Morocco’s Chaymaa Mourtaji responded to keep the contest alive. The pressure told when Algeria’s Roselène Khezami missed, only for Morocco’s Najat Badri to falter moments later.
With the scoreline balanced, Inès Belloumou stepped up and coolly converted the decisive penalty, sealing her country’s 3-2 shootout victory.
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The result handed Algeria their first-ever WAFCON bronze medal, a landmark achievement for the Desert Foxes’ women’s team.
For Morocco, the defeat was a bitter end to a promising campaign, though their progress remains a positive sign for the future of women’s football in the region.
Algeria’s triumph underlined their resilience, bouncing back from group-stage setbacks to finish on the podium.
The bronze medal now stands as a symbol of growth and ambition, with the team determined to build on this success in future tournaments.
